LB Al Wilson Fails New York Giants Physical: Pro Bowl middle linebacker Al Wilson of the Denver Broncos was in the NY/NJ area yesterday in order to take a physical for the New York Giants. The NFL Network reported Thursday night that the Giants were close to finalizing a trade with Denver for Wilson’s services. Once news of the physical became public yesterday afternoon, it fueled speculation that the trade was all but official.
However, according to various press reports, the trade talks are now dead. ESPN is reporting that Wilson failed the Giants’ physical. Wilson did suffer thumb, neck, and back injuries last year despite being voted to his fifth Pro Bowl in six years. There is speculation that it was the neck injury that caused Wilson to fail the physical. One anonymous source told The Star-Ledger that there was no chance that the trade talks could be revived.
However, according to Wilson’s agent, the Giants are still in the picture. “I just got off the phone with the Giants,” said the agent last night. “There’s still a lot of scenarios going on – with the Giants and many other teams.” The Rocky Mountain News says the Eagles and Lions are still believed to be interested in Wilson. “I kept telling everybody it wasn’t imminent,” said the agent. “There’s a lot of stuff going on I’m working on a lot of different things right now and continuing to talk to teams.”
The Rocky Mountain News also reports that Wilson has had issues with his neck since the 2003 season. The paper says that while tests showed no structural damage to the neck, Wilson complained about an “unbearable” ache and not being comfortable making full contact when leading with his head. In November 2006, Wilson was carted off the field in a game against the Seahawks when he injured the neck again. Wilson also has had two surgeries in two years on his right thumb.
According to various media, no current Giants player would have been part of the trade for Wilson. Apparently the Giants were merely talking draft picks as compensation.
Texans Expected to Match Offer Sheet to FB Vonta Leach: The NFL Network is reporting that the Houston Texans are expected to match the Giants’ offer sheet to restricted free agent FB Vonta Leach. The Giants signed Leach to a 4-year, $7.2-8.3 million offer sheet last Monday. If Houston matches the offer, Leach officially signs that deal with the Texans and will be off the market.
In fact, yesterday the Texans did announce that they had matched the offer for Leach. Then their press department said that announcement was premature. It is still expected that the Texans will do so. They have until Monday to make their final decision.
Giants Re-Sign WR Darius Watts: According to The NFL Network, the Giants have re-signed free agent WR Darius Watts. No contract terms were made public.
The NFL Network is reporting that Watts was a restricted free agent. However, when the Giants tendered restricted free agents SS Gibril Wilson, LB Reggie Torbor, and HB Derrick Ward, it was not publicized that Watts had been tendered. Thus, it is not clear if Watts was restricted or unrestricted.